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Police urge clearer rules, public education as e‑bike and e‑scooter calls rise
Summary
Hagerstown police told council they treat e‑bikes and e‑scooters according to Maryland rules (≤750 watts allowed; class speeds 20–28 mph depending on class) but face enforcement limits when riders flee; the department cited 99 e‑bike calls and 166 dirt‑bike calls in six months and proposed public education and targeted enforcement.
Police officials briefed council on e‑bike and e‑scooter enforcement, safety concerns and regulatory limits under Maryland law. They said e‑bikes under 750 watts with pedals are legal and subject to class‑based speed limits, while high‑powered off‑road electric dirt bikes exceeding those specifications are illegal to operate on roadways or to register.
"Anything under 750 watts is legal in Maryland. It's gotta have pedals," the police representative said, explaining the three class system and speed thresholds. The department described enforcement tactics that prioritise safety — targeting locations, conducting investigations and search warrants rather than attempting hazardous street stops — and cited local call volumes: 99 e‑bike calls and 166 dirt‑bike calls over six months. Council members asked about cross‑jurisdictional differences and requested a public education campaign; staff agreed to coordinate a PSA and review potential local code changes that could give officers additional tools.
